City Comparison
Ottumwa vs Multan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Multan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ottumwa
Multan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Multan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
80% lower than in Ottumwa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ottumwa's average rent is
494% higher than Multan's.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Multan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $143 | +494% |
| Groceries | $350 | $80 | +338% |
| Utilities | $170 | $112 | +52% |
| Transport | $100 | $7 | +1329% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $342 | +394% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 31 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ottumwa offers 27329% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ottumwa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ottumwa is estimated at
$42,000 vs $414 in Multan.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Multan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $175 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $414 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 565 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ottumwa runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ottumwa comes out ahead with 274 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ottumwa sees 19.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Multan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 274 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Multan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Ottumwa.
Ottumwa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ottumwa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Multan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Multan is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Multan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ottumwa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Multan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,514 | 2,409,602 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 2.84% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.42% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ottumwa
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Ottumwa are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 15 minutes, minimizing daily transit stress.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities are available along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
The local cost of living index is well below the US average, stretching household budgets further.
A vibrant cultural and events calendar is hosted at the modern Bridge View Center downtown.
Drawbacks
Average household incomes and wages lag behind national medians per US Census Bureau American Community Survey data.
Certain heavy manufacturing and industrial sectors experience cyclical employment fluctuations.
Public transportation options outside of core fixed bus routes are limited for non-drivers.
Some older housing stock requires significant weatherization and energy-efficiency updates for harsh winters.
Access to specialized medical sub-specialties requires travel to larger regional hospital hubs.
Multan
Advantages
Multan's crime rate has significantly declined, with a 75% reduction in early 2026.
The cost of living in Multan is very low, making it one of the most affordable cities globally.
The city is implementing a new electric bus service to provide modern, safe, and environmentally friendly public transport.
Multan has a rich cultural heritage and is known as the "City of Saints."
The city has a growing population, indicating potential for economic and social development.
Drawbacks
The average monthly net salary in Multan is relatively low at $175, requiring tight budgeting for locals.
While public transport is improving, the city has historically faced issues with an inefficient public transportation system.
Detailed and recent data on certain aspects like specific healthcare quality scores and comprehensive entertainment options are not readily available.
Summer temperatures in Multan can reach extreme highs, up to 50 °C.
The online listing ecosystem for rentals in Multan lags behind expectations, making property search potentially challenging.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ottumwa
#231Iowa, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
Multan
#4Punjab, Pakistan
77.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$143
Avg Salary
$175
Cost Index
31
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.84%
Unemployment
5.42%
Livability
70
Business
60
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